• AES States working to coordinate cybersecurity efforts amid rising digital threats

• AES forum calls for shared infrastructure, training, and incident-response centers

• Cyberattacks seen as risk to digital sovereignty and economic growth

Member nations of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) are working to coordinate their response to rising cyber threats, according to key takeaways from the third annual Mali National Cybersecurity Days (JNC).

 Official delegations from Niger and Burkina Faso took part in the initiative, which began on Tuesday, October 28, and continues until Friday, October 31, in Bamako.

The 2025 edition is themed “Digital Resilience of Sahel States Against Cyberattacks: Safeguarding Community Values in the AES Cyberspace.” It brings together experts, policymakers, and young professionals for five days of discussions to build a safer and more integrated digital space.

In his opening remarks, Mali’s Minister of Communication, Digital Economy and Administrative Modernization, Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, called for efforts to “build a secure, equitable digital space that respects the values at the heart of our societies.”

 He also urged stronger regional cooperation, public-private partnerships, and support for local startups to reinforce cybersecurity capacity.

Pasteur Poda, president of Burkina Faso’s Electronic Communications and Post Regulatory Authority (ARCEP), outlined concrete commitments, including plans to develop shared infrastructure, establish regional incident-response centers, train young people, and encourage responsible digital behavior.

The push comes as AES members face what the Burkinabe regulator described as “unprecedented threats,” including sophisticated cyberattacks, disinformation, electronic fraud, and intrusions targeting critical systems.

 The trend reflects a broader African pattern: an Interpol report released in June said cyberattacks are intensifying across the continent amid rapid digital transformation fueled by rising connectivity and the spread of mobile banking and e-commerce.

ARCEP warned that such threats undermine the countries’ digital sovereignty, especially as the three AES states view digital transformation as a key driver of socio-economic growth.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) notes that robust cybersecurity is essential for countries to fully benefit from the opportunities offered by information and communication technologies (ICTs).

A joint study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Google estimates that Africa’s digital economy could be worth at least $712 billion by 2050, or 8.5% of the continent’s GDP.

Isaac K. Kassouwi